The House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review is currently deliberating a bill aimed at amending the 1999 Constitution to limit the number of ministers appointed by the president to a maximum of 37.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Streamline the Number of Ministers to be Appointed to the Federal Executive Council,” is being reviewed by the committee headed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

Sponsored by Mansur Soro, representing Darazo/Ganjuwa in Bauchi State, and Zanna Mustapha, representing Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri in Borno State, the proposed amendment seeks to alter Section 147(1) of the Constitution.

The change would read, “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, not exceeding 37, as may be established by the President.”

Currently, under President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Executive Council includes 45 ministers, comprising both substantive ministers and Ministers of State.

Traditionally, the Nigerian president appoints a minister from each of the 36 states, with additional appointments made based on other considerations.

Soro explained the rationale behind the bill, emphasizing the need to reduce government spending and enhance the efficiency of governance.

“The bill seeks to limit the number of ministers in the Federal Executive Council to address issues like duplication of duties, excessive government expenditure, and inefficiencies in service delivery at the federal level,” he said.

“We need to streamline the cost of governance and ensure fairer distribution of ministers across states.”

Soro also pointed out the imbalance in ministerial appointments, particularly the disproportionate number of ministers from states like Ogun, which currently has four ministers compared to states with only one.

He suggested that appointing one minister per state, while considering the Federal Capital Territory, would be sufficient.

The bill also responds to concerns about the inclusion of technocrats in government.

Soro argued that technocrats and politicians can be accommodated in other government agencies and parastatals, reducing the need for an overinflated cabinet.

In addition to the bill on ministers, the committee is reviewing another bill proposing amendments to Section 62 of the Constitution.

This amendment would ensure the observance of the federal character principle in the composition of principal officers in the National Assembly.

These proposed changes are part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s governance system, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

Despite multiple meetings and consultations, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to grapple with how to address the situation surrounding its embattled acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.

The latest developments came after a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, where members expressed growing frustration with the state of affairs within the party, particularly under the current leadership.

The BoT members reiterated their dissatisfaction with the failure of the National Working Committee (NWC) to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, accusing the delay of eroding the trust and confidence of party members.

They also expressed concerns that the party appeared to be under the control of certain interests, weakening its overall position.

During the meeting, news broke that Eriethake Ibori-Suenu, a PDP House of Representatives member from Ethiope, Delta State, had defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ibori-Suenu, the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, was seen as a significant loss for the party, and many in the BoT attributed the defection to the alleged ineptitude of the current NEC, particularly Damagum’s leadership.

This triggered further calls for Damagum’s removal.

Senator Ahmed Makarfi, a former acting PDP national chairman and current BoT Secretary, played a key role in de-escalating tensions during the meeting, which became heated as the discussion progressed.

Many BoT members voiced a lack of confidence in Damagum, demanding that the NWC take immediate steps to restore internal unity and adhere to the party’s constitutional provisions, including the zoning of NWC positions.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the BoT called on the NWC to honor its commitment and convene the NEC meeting as scheduled for February 2025.

They emphasized the urgency of resolving the internal conflicts to ensure the party’s future stability, warning that further delays could worsen the party’s already precarious situation.

Additionally, the BoT recommended that the leaders of the North Central Zone convene a meeting to nominate a successor for former national chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

Despite the growing pressure, Damagum’s supporters remain confident that he will complete his term, which is set to end in December 2025, as confirmed by a recent court injunction.

One of his backers, speaking anonymously, insisted that Damagum is not afraid of a potential NEC meeting in February, as some believe.

The supporter further stated that even if Damagum is no longer acting national chairman, he is prepared to continue in his role as Deputy National Chairman (North).

Damagum assumed the acting chairmanship after Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s departure, in accordance with the PDP Constitution.

However, his leadership has faced opposition, particularly from supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who see Damagum as aligning with the interests of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.

Wike, who remains at odds with Atiku and his camp, is blamed by many for the party’s loss in the 2023 presidential election, further complicating the leadership crisis within the PDP.

Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, the father of Ebonyi State Governor Chief Francis Nwifuru, was formally crowned as the traditional ruler of the Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community on Saturday.

Nwankpu, a farmer from Ebonyi, is known for his large family, having married 19 wives, with 17 still living, and fathering 108 children, including the current governor.

The coronation ceremony took place at the Oferekpe Agbaja Primary School in Izzi Local Government Area, where Nwankpu was presented by the community town union leadership and received the staff of office, symbolizing his new role as the monarch of the 17-village community.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Godwin Ogbaga, a former minister, commended the selection of Nwifuru Nwankpu as the traditional ruler.

He credited the Ebonyi State Governor for providing the necessary support, including signing the legal framework that enabled the establishment of the community and the selection of qualified leaders.

Ogbaga praised Nwankpu for his strong character, traditional knowledge, and dedication to community development, emphasizing that his reign would be vital in advancing the community’s progress.

He further noted that traditional rulers, unlike political appointees, hold their positions for life as custodians of culture and tradition.

Governor Nwifuru’s father, now recognized as the traditional leader, overcame various life challenges before marrying multiple wives, a decision he reportedly made after feeling isolated and disliked by his community.

The reappointment of Fatima Shinkafi for a third consecutive term as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) has sparked concerns among civil society groups.

The Community Watch Vanguard (CWV), in a statement issued on Saturday by its founder, Comrade Umar Ibrahim Gidado, criticized the decision, calling it a violation of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which advocates for good governance and adherence to tenure limits.

Shinkafi, who has held the position since May 24, 2017, saw her second term renewed in 2021 for another four years.

CWV expressed disappointment over her reappointment for a third term, claiming it sets a negative precedent for governance and undermines the principle of term limits for public officeholders.

The group urged President Tinubu, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, and other concerned authorities to scrutinize the situation and take appropriate action.

They stressed that this move could jeopardize the administration’s commitment to reform and governance.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that President Tinubu had appointed Yazid Danfulani as the new Executive Secretary for the SMDF, only to reverse the decision and reappoint Shinkafi shortly after.